Before Midnight is certainly the darkest of the "Before" series so far, especially once Jesse and Celine get to the hotel and their bickering turns into full-on verbal warfare.
Is it the best of the series, though? It's certainly one of the best of 2013: cynicritics.com/2013/12/29/our-favorite-movies-of-2013/
For me it's certainly the best of the trilogy. As many have stated here each subsequent installment has gotten progressively better and incorporated the main characters' anecdotes, mannerisms, and philosophies from the previous films. I can't say that it is an underrated film since Delpy received a Golden Globe nomination but it will be a travesty if it's overlooked for an Oscar nomination in any of the main categories.
Well, it must have been one hell of a night we're about to have.
I'm quite surprised there seems to be such universal agreement that "each subsequent installment has gotten progressively better". Not because I didn't think this one is the best of the three--I gave it 9/10--but because I feel like Before Sunset is clearly the weakest link (although that is only in relative terms: I still thought it was pretty good).
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See a list of my favourite films here: http://www.flickchart.com/slackerinc
To each their own but I'm curious...why do you consider #2 to be the weakest as compared to the rest?
Well, it must have been one hell of a night we're about to have.
It's a bit hazy, but I recall finding it not as romantic and compelling as the first one, a little dull at times (although it was a great ending for sure). Yet it did not have the incredibly realistic marital turmoil of this third film.
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See a list of my favourite films here: http://www.flickchart.com/slackerinc
That's funny b/c although I totally agree with your assessment those are the exact reasons why I love it! Hahahaha! Time has passed and they are both more grown up and less idealistic and romantic because they can't afford to be at least in action yet at the same time the confide to each other that they are both hopeless romantics at heart. #2 (contradiction) perfectly blends both worlds of #1 (idealism) and #3 (realism) together in retrospect. Although #3 is the clear winner.
Well, it must have been one hell of a night we're about to have.
We agree on your last sentence at least. :)
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See a list of my favourite films here: http://www.flickchart.com/slackerinc
I would have to disagree.
The first movie was honest exchange of emotions that was genuine and made me care for them,
The second was exploiting and inventing the lines of previous encounter that was not authentic to genuine characters. Their words were written, but without any depth, just interpretation of what writers and producers imagined to be practical. Didn’t bother me, much like I’m not bothered with the last one.
In fact, I almost respect their wish and effort to continue, as I doubt financial results of either would trigger anyone to consider doing so. But they did and I respect that.
But, the same approach is used again, where dialogs are substitution for any real story. And for something that builds their existence on such romantic premise, poor is the voyage from such distance.
Celine and Jesse speak those words, but there is no life in them. I hear those words, I see them coming from their mouths, but do not believe any of it.
Their very existence is reduced to empty lines and stereotypical approach. Their conversations while driving, or walking, feels like Celine and Jesse, just met after schoolbreak and they perform for director only, as if there is no audience. Their body communication does not present any knowledge of each other, much less a real couple with children and shared existential realism of everyday living.
I assume some viewers from US would mistake cultural scenery, that I admit is pleasant, for entire movie. You could name Celine and Jesse with any other names and could make the same movie, and omit any reference to Before Sunrise (1995). The wrong times for genuine results, and sequels are no exception.
They aaalmost had it, but those last thirty seconds or so ruined it (the sense of near perfection, that is) completely for me. The bimbo roleplaying game was lame enough. I didn't like that in the first scene it occurred, so to bring it back for the grand finale felt out of place, but alright, it was tolerable. I would really have preferred a more emotional climax to the fight, followed by a long and tense moment of silence slowly giving way to their cautious smiles as the camera would back away, as a way of taking us back to their first encounter. But no.. Instead we got the dumbest line of 2013, after 100 minutes of pure dialogue gold: "Well... (pause for dramatic effect - her one out of key performance of the entire movie) It must have been one hell of a night we're about to have.." As the credits rolled I literally shouted "noooo!.." in despair.
shareI think most will enjoy the film where they are in the same age bracket as Jesse and Celine. 20's, 30's and 40's are all covered - but hopeless romantics will enjoy them all :)
I am actually 25 years old (though I have been in a relationship for 7 years). I prefer this film out of them all. I feel that it is the most realistic, and I love it as the climax to the trilogy. We get to see them go from idealistic and in love, to dealing with serious relationship problems and blowing off steam, to deciding that they still want to continue working and moving forward. I believe that it is beautiful, and anyone who has been in a serious long term relationship would probably agree.
shareI think most will enjoy the film where they are in the same age bracket as Jesse and Celine. 20's, 30's and 40's are all covered - but hopeless romantics will enjoy them all :)
this 3rd is my favourite (just watched it), altough I think part2 was 10/10 too
the first one I tried to watch ~5-8-10(?) years ago but after 10-15 mins I stopped (felt it was boring), and only re-tried again a couple of months ago - what a change! (I guess I changed, my life changed)
hope there will be a another sequel as it seems it is getting better and better :)
I really enjoyed the film but Before Sunset is my absolute favorite. I love every single thing about it- the location, the pacing, the dialogue, the overall mood....I could go on and on. As previously stated (and echoing how I have always felt about the film) it strikes the right balance of idealism and realism. You feel like you are one of the characters, or with them, listening avidly to their conversations. That is what makes the films so intimate- you are exposed to the characters innermost workings and thoughts, you see the roots of their love and adoration (the impact is greater than some films which focus on gratuitous scenes as opposed to substance). The level of openness between Jesse and Celine is what most people want in a relationship. Also, the film was made at a time when I studied abroad in Paris so of course it is sentimental to me on another level. Watching it reminds me of that particular time in my life which I enjoyed so much.
shareBefore Sunset for me.
shareBefore Sunset for me. I find it amazing that one can be so engrossed for 80 minutes in 'real' time with 2 souls just connecting (or more appropriately reconnecting) with each other, it looks so real.
Tarantino can learn a thing or 2 from the Before Trilogy on how to have long conversations which are directly related to the movie and does not appear to be time-wasting, or filler.
Before Sunset
Before Midnight
Before Sunrise
Personally, I enjoy Before Sunset more, but a lot that is because that is moment the single movie became a series, and that's when the extra dimensions of time time passing and the examination of the then and now added more layers to the over all narrative.
But I still very much enjoy Before Midnight, and if I looked at them as stand a lone films, I might have ranked it the highest. It touches on themes about love and relationships that few films would go, especially film series with two previous entries. Keeping a domestic argument interesting for 20 minutes is both incredibly interesting but at the same time incredibly heart wrenching.